The Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority (SMA) has announced a series of new initiatives to further improve access for patrons with a disability at the Oval.
These initiatives include:
- Over recent weeks, the SMA has increased the number of parking spaces (including daily and seasonal) for people with a disability in the northern car park from 35 to 60;
- Similarly, the SMA has also been increasing the number of designated parking spaces on the Torrens Parade Ground from 150 to 250;
- A new drop-off area for disabled access is being created just north of the Eastern Plaza, effective from this Friday’s game between Adelaide and Hawthorn;
- Two temporary covered rest areas will be erected on the Telstra and Eastern plazas, providing designated sheltered areas for patrons with a disability as they access the Oval; and
- Providing courtesy carts that operate along the length of War Memorial Drive and Pennington Terrace to assist patrons in reaching their destination.
SMA CEO Andrew Daniels said the SMA was “doing everything it could” to improve access for patrons with a disability.
“The original plans for access for disabled patrons were drawn up in consultation with the State Government’s Transport Accessibility Advisory Group (TAAG), and we began operations that were in line with the national requirements for disabled parking,” Mr Daniels said.
“As we have learned more about the needs of patrons through the first half of the AFL season, we have further improved access where we can to the point where the Oval’s on-site parking for people with a disability is now well in excess of that which is specified under the Disability Discrimination Act.
“We hope the rest areas we are erecting on the Telstra and Eastern plazas, together with the new drop-off area on the Eastern Plaza, will further improve access.
“The SMA is doing everything it can to listen and respond to the needs of patrons with a disability.
“In the meantime, we remain open to discussing the options at Pinky Flat with the Council.”
